What does lodgement mean?
Lodgement means a place where a person can stay temporarily, especially as a lodger, and can also refer more generally to accommodation or the act of staying somewhere. The word is especially common in British English, particularly in contexts such as universities, housing, and historical writing, although it is also understood in US English. For example, a college may advertise “lodgement for students,” meaning accommodation provided for those enrolled at the institution. Lodgement is more formal than “a place to stay” and more precise than simply “housing,” since it usually suggests temporary accommodation or accommodation arranged for a particular person or group. In American English, “lodging” is often preferred, while “lodgment” is the usual US spelling of the noun.
nounA place where someone can stay temporarily, especially as a lodger. It can also refer more generally to lodging or accommodation.
- A place where a person stays temporarily, especially as a lodger.
- The act of lodging or the provision of accommodation.
"The college provides comfortable lodgement for students from overseas."
"She found lodgement with a family in the village."
"The university offers lodgement on campus during the summer term."
The plural is used when referring to multiple places of accommodation or instances of lodging.
"The college provides separate lodgements for students and visiting scholars."
Lodgement is the formal word for a place to stay: it can mean the accommodation itself or simply the act of taking shelter for a time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lodgement
Lodgement is formed from the verb “lodge” together with the suffix “-ment,” which can indicate an action, condition, or result. The English verb “lodge” comes from Old English “lagu,” meaning a shelter or resting place, and developed through Middle English into its modern sense of providing or taking temporary accommodation. The related forms “lodger” and “lodging” share the same root and reflect the word's long history in the language.
Related word forms
How lodgement is actually used
More common in British English and somewhat formal, especially in educational and historical contexts. In general US usage, “lodging” is usually the more natural choice.
Easily confused with lodgement
“Lodgement” is the usual British spelling, while “lodgment” is the standard US spelling of the same noun.